Best for-profit-schools in Tampa?

itsmejuli · May 18, 2010

Considering that its a tight job market for new grad RNs here in Tampa Bay and across the country, why be in a hurry to finish up your RN by paying a lot more money at a private school.

If at some point you decide to pursue a BSN, then a private school for ADN will force you to continue on with expensive private schools.

Galen is an excellent nursing school and will accept some, perhaps all of your pre-reqs. You'll be credited for them and save a few thousand of their tuition. But you're still looking at close to $18k or more to get your ADN.

I chose to wait it out with SPC so I can continue on there to BSN and save a lot of money.

Bethany726 · May 18, 2010

The thing is I'm really not interested in getting my BSN however, I would like to leave that option open in the future. I have a lot of goals that I want to accomplish and I don't want to be going from job to job for the next few years waiting schools out. I need stability. I have considered Galen, however you must attend the LPN program and then do the bridge to RN why waste money when I can go straight to RN? I know that no matter what private school I chose to go to they will be expensive and I've already gotten an AS in digital photography from a private institution, so I know how my loans will play out. $ isn't an issue with me when it comes to getting an education. Thanks for the help

pascostudent · May 18, 2010

If you are going to attend a private program, you really need to make certain their program's courses are fully transferable to ANY public college. That, and make sure they are accredited and recognized when you go to sit for your NCLEX upon graduation. Personally, I wouldn't risk the private route (other than somewhere like University of Tampa) since, in the end, they are all out for money and usually can't specify how much, how long, and what other fees you'll need to graduate. I'd stick with HCC, PHCC, SPC, or even USF or UT (even though they only offer BSN). HCC requires more prereqs than SPC or HCC and PHCC only requires 5 prereqs with a standard entrance exam (TEAS Test). However, each school requires some class that only they require as a prereq (HCC- Sociology, PHCC- Psychology, SPC- Speech, UT- CHild Psych). Just do your research and make the best decision for the long-term. Good luck!

brittany_1986 · Apr 25, 2011

Rasmussen College is a great school. I know they are going to be offering a Nursing bachelors in Tampa and I think they have a campus in Pasco too. May be worth looking into. I've heard some pretty good stuff about their program.

http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/rn-bsn/

I heard there are no pre reqs.

Britt

renaissanceart · Apr 28, 2011

I visited Ultimate Medical Academy today on Florida Ave. in Tampa...they have a brand new RN program that you can start May 16th...it's an all inclusive program...90 weeks year round so roughly 20 months...board approved program...I loved the service you get from a private school...they gave me the exact cost of the program and lots of student loan opportunities.

renaissanceart · Apr 28, 2011

the cost was just under 35k at UMA

MC90 · Oct 29, 2011

renaissanceart:

do you have to take an exam to get accepted in the R.N program????

renaissanceart · Oct 29, 2011

yes, the TEAS. Don't know what score you need though.

renaissanceart · Oct 29, 2011

I'll also be meeting with a rep. at South University next week. I'll post how it goes here. They offer a BSN and since I have a BA already it may take me the same amount of time to get a BSN as an ADN so I may as well look into it.

MC90 · Oct 29, 2011

Thank you for the information..I'm trying to decide where to go..Keiser or uma..need some info about those two schools.

renaissanceart · Nov 1, 2011

I would love some info. on UMA also...getting ready to sign on with them for RN in Jan. 2011 and would love the feedback.